Tizi’s Book Review

When things are not going well, faking may bring some solace…

Synopsis

Fake dating isn’t on the curriculum… but neither is falling in love

He’s tall, dark and handsome… And he’s just announced his engagement to someone else.

Guidance teacher Clara Morgan thought her year couldn’t get any worse, but it just did. No matter how hard she tries to keep her chin up, it’s hard not to feel down.

Kind and intuitive English teacher and single dad Sam Addison realises something’s up with Clara; he puts two and two together and works out her secret.

Shocked that someone has discovered her unrequited love for one of her colleagues, Clara leans on Sam for support. When he’s invited to a wedding, Clara offers to go with him – as a friend. But she starts to see him in a whole new light when she introduces him to the concept of fake dating.

Sam gave up on love long ago and has a whole cupboard full of baggage, but Clara is just so loveable. If only he wasn’t stuck in a complicated home setup, and she wasn’t in love with someone else.

My review

Clara Morgan is a guidance teacher that secretly has a crush on one of her colleagues. So when he announces his engagement, it is normal for Clara to feel down. Not only that shakes Clara, but she has also received some news that truly turns her world upside down…
Her devastation is noticed by English teacher and single dad Sam Addison. And while he doesn’t hear it from Clara, he quickly understand what turmoil Clara is in.
As Clara knows that Sam knows about her heartbreak, how ashamed Clara may feel, she finds comfort and support with Sam. And with their relationship going from colleagues to friends, when Clara discovers that Sam has to attend a wedding and will have to face remarks and comments about being single, why wouldn’t she suggest to be his plus one? So even if Sam gave up on love a long time ago, and has a lot of baggage, is there something wrong with do some fake dating with someone as lovely as Clara? Spending more time together means for the both of them seeing each other in a different light. However, Sam is in a complicated family situation and Clara was just so not long ago in love with someone else. So what are their feelings actually saying, and is there a possibility for more?

There is something about Glenbriar and its inhabitants that always make me feel so happy when I pick up the next instalment of the series. 😊

At the start of the book, it is obvious that Clara has unreciprocated feelings towards one of her colleagues. And even if she tries to hide it, to avoid any awkward situations, hearing about the engagement crushes her. Of course I could understand her developed feelings and the devastation upon hearing the happy news, because we all know how lovely and amazing Kerr is!

In itself, Clara’s broken heart wouldn’t be the end of the world for her, but the fact that she has learned some devastation news about herself, makes her now question not only herself, but also any future plans she may have envisioned.

And what Clara is going through, truly saddened me. Because she is such a lovely, warm, kind young woman who deserves someone special in her life, and the future she dreamed about. IT shows how unfair in a way Life can be, how easily it can take something from you…

But where Life takes something away, it also gives you something. And in Clara’s case, it is Sam’s friendship and support. Of course they already know each other, and there is already a sort of relationship, the colleague – type.

Yet as Sam is quick to realize what Clara’s feelings are for Kerr, Clara finds an ally in him. Because that is the kind of person Sam is… He wants to be there for people he cares about, he is kind, gentle, understanding and with his own personal issues, we see he would move heaven and earth for his children…

Where I felt sorry for Clara is going through, I felt anger with Sam’s storyline. Not because Sam is doing something wrong, but because he loves his children so much, and wants to be near them as much as possible, he is at the mercy of his ex. And let that ex be the person my anger is aimed to.

With Clara and Sam being somehow in a way kindred spirits, their relationship evolves even outside the school walls. Where they start to meet by sheer accident on their walks, they intentionally start to spend more time together.

And when Sam is going to attend a wedding, and he knows him being single is going to be subject of mocking, Clara suggests to be his plus one, and is ready to be fake – dating him. Like we don’t know that things will go through another shift there 😊.

But it isn’t the fake – dating that made me cheer for these two lovely people. It is how they are with each other, how they are around each other’s loved ones, without the need to pretend. There is an instant liking, an instant and genuine love for everyone they meet. Again a testament of their wonderful characters!

Both Sam and Clara are lovely people, but they are going through a lot in their lives at the moment. And love and romance is absolutely the last thing on their mind. But they both deserve it so much, especially with each other.

What we see with Sam and Clara, is not only compassionate they are, but they understand what the other is going through. They are there for each other when needed, but also take a step back when it is needed.

Saying this is a heart – warming story would be an understatement. Because this story emanates just so much love, warmth, kindness and gentleness, despite the turmoil the characters are going through.

Saying I devoured this story, would be an understatement, because I found myself just reading page after page after page. That much I loved reading Clara’s and Sam’s story. Their story shows us that no matter what curveballs Life has thrown us and is still throwing us, there are always people in your life that suddenly become so important and that will make you believe in love again and perhaps make you be courageous enough.

And to end my review, can I say I cannot wait to read the next instalment, involving another teacher, a frustrating student and his father! 😊 

When a murder happens, who is the best to solve it?

Synopsis

Even angels can have a dark side…

As the sticky heat of August settles over Florence, Dan Armstrong is ready for a well-earned break—sightseeing with fiancée Anna, daughter Tricia and her fiancé Shaun. But when a British man is found dead inside the city’s magnificent Duomo, Dan’s plans quickly change.

The victim, Tristan Angel, is a super-wealthy arms dealer with a saintly name and a devilish reputation. But what was he doing in the cathedral, and who decided to make it his final confession?

At Angel’s opulent villa in the hills of Fiesole, Dan and Commissario Virgilio encounter a colourful cast of suspects—each one hiding secrets and none too eager to talk. As tempers rise and the heat outside grows ever more intense, Dan and his four-legged sidekick, Oscar, must sniff out the truth before the killer strikes again.

My review

Dan Armstrong and his loyal companion Oscar learn once again that there is no rest for the wicked. While ready to enjoy a break in Florence with his fiancée Anna, daughter Tricia and her fiancé Shaun, a British man is found dead in the Duomo. And that makes Dan change his plans. Despite his name, victim Tristan Angel is a wealthy arms dealer with a certain reputation. A reputation that makes any member of his party staying in the hills of Fiesole a possible suspect. And what was Tristan Angel doing in the Duomo? As always, Dan and Oscar are willing to help their friend Commissario Virgilio to understand what has happened, and who is the culprit. With suspects each having a possible reason for murder, and more strange appear to be happening, can the killer be found?

While I am always happy to revisit my friends Dan and Oscar, I am truly worrying about how many murders there are happening wherever Dan and Oscar are. For sure that isn’t healthy, is it? 😊

Luckily for us, it’s just another lover cozy murder mystery with great characters, beside in this case the victim himself and several suspects.

With each book, we see how Dan is becoming in a way more and more a real Italian. And as an Italian myself, I loved reading these bits! Because it would be easy to hold on to the British life Dan has been accustomed to. However, Dan embraced the Italian way of life, loving the food, loving the environment and loving the new people in his life (and Oscar, let’s not forget him! 😊).

Florence may be my favourite Italian city, even if during summer it is way too hot for my liking, and there are just tourists everywhere 😊. And the Duomo for sure took my breath away when I visited it.

However, for Tristan Angel, the Duomo literally took his breath away, as it is the place where he is murdered. A name couldn’t be more mismatched, as the victim is anything but an angel… I understand that there is a need for weapons in the world (unfortunately), but when it is used for personal gain and evil, well, I couldn’t feel sorry for the victim.

Although, I must admit that murder is never the right direction to take to make right what has been wrong…

Of course a murder investigation is never a walk in the park, and Dan and Oscar are both doing their duties, helping Virgilio out. With all the guests staying at the villa in Fiesole, I had some sympathy towards just a few of the people staying there, but I never truly warmed towards any of them. Perhaps I disliked them a little bit by association with Tristan Angel, and that is not completely fair of me in a few cases, but it is what it is 😊.

Now, obviously this is a cozy mystery, despite the severity of the murder. Like I already said, we see how Dan is becoming more and more a real Italian, and how his life is falling into place, with Anna by his side. Anna for sure doesn’t let Dan walk over her, as is right that she doesn’t, but she is also a woman that understands Dan and his need for justice.

And let’s never forget about Oscar! Our furry friend shows once again that dogs are men’s best friends, but he is also a unique investigator, not only showing compassion, but most important, he is involved when the important discoveries are being made.

As there are several chapters in this great series already, you would think that somehow, somewhere, things would become repetitive. Yet this wonderful author never falls in that trap, and keeps on writing great stories, where the main characters keep on evolving, growing yet never lose themselves.

And while I may worry about the people getting murdered, as the numbers keep on growing with this series, I hope there will be still plenty of adventures waiting for Dan and Oscar!

A journey that will change the future…

Synopsis

Two best friends. Two one-way tickets. And a future that might just surprise them.
Bex and Amy are best friends and total opposites. Bex is cynical, Amy is romantic. Bex is chaotic, Amy is organised. With the prospect of turning 34 just around the corner, neither is where they expected to be at this point in their lives.
Bex is exploring her sexuality and has a string of failed relationships, while Amy is newly single and desperate to fall in love. Armed with a photographic vision board of the future, Bex and Amy put their trust in ‘The Universe’ and fly from London to Bali, then on to Australia in search of adventure, cocktails on the beach and maybe even love.
Almost immediately, Amy finds someone who is the perfect fit for her dream life. While Bex is stuck playing double dates with his best friend, the most pompous man she has ever met, but also one of the hottest. Travelling via white sand beaches, lush rainforests and road trips through idyllic scenery, the images on their vision board begin to transform into reality.
However, people are not always what they seem, and first impressions are not always accurate. Add in a queer, charismatic love interest and a vindictive ex-girlfriend, and the path of true love begins to get a little more complex.
When ‘The Universe’ has its own agenda, is it possible to manifest a happy ever after?
An Enemies to Lovers destination romance with a sprinkling of Pride and Prejudice vibes.

My review

Despite being complete opposites, Bex and Amy are best friends. Their friendship shows how people can complement each other. Where Bex is a cynical, chaotic and struggling with her own sexuality and has several failed relationships, Amy is organized, romantic and still trying to get over her recently broken heart. One drunken night, where Amy is being anything but organized, the two women decide to create their own personal vision board of how their future should look like. With a result that Bex and Amy find themselves heading of to Bali and later on to Australia, in search of adventure, purpose and perhaps even love. What they didn’t expect is that they would be meeting two men. And while Amy feels an immediate connection with Ben, Bex clashes with JP. And during their travels, they keep on meeting up, while both Amy and Bex start to understand what they truly want in their lives, and that perhaps their vision board can be turned into reality…

I love it when there are friends, best of friends, that are complete opposites. It shows,  in books, how people truly can complement each other, and make it possible to see things in different lights. And Bex and Amy couldn’t be more different, in just every aspect. But their friendship is perfect example of my statement here above.

While Bex is also very different from myself, in a way I could relate with her. There are always expectations from everyone, to make something of your life. Have a good career, have a solid and ‘normal’ relationship, have a family.

But Bex points out in this book, that it is okay to be still searching, no matter if you are already an adult of not. You don’t have to have all the answers yet, and it is okay to be still figuring out who you truly are and what you want from life.

Sometimes, the best things happen when done or planned on a drunken night. And that for sure is applicable in this book, as Amy decides to make this journey after several drinks to drown her heartbreak.

I have to admit, I felt truly sorry for Amy. Not only because she had her whole life planned out, and was in a solid relationship, which ended abruptly. But it is obvious that this one event, the end of her relationship, makes her question just everything that used to be a certainty.

Even if the decision to make this trip was made on a spirited evening, I couldn’t agree more with the ladies, as I think that everyone would benefit to take some time off, to go away for a while, to just find yourself again, to find answers to what you are truly looking for. Although for me, it would have be planned from the very beginning till the end, as I cannot just go with the flow 😊.

Almost immediately on their trip, Amy and Bex meet with Ben and JP. And where Ben is being a nice guy, the guy you want to immediately befriend, JP gives serious ‘leave – me  – alone’ – vibes. Although I could understand JP’s reaction when he first meets Bex, especially after we learn later on who he was talking to…

I could understand Bex’s frustrations as JP acts in a way that would frustrate me too. However, isn’t it true that the more time you spend with someone, the better you get to know them, and you even get to understand their struggles.

And I had to change my mind over JP, as we learn that things aren’t as straightforward as it may seem, as he has a lot of baggage with him. And even he has a lot to learn, has to grow in this book. At a certain moment, he acts in a way that reminded me even as a Mr. Darcy, thinking that he knows things better than what truly is transpiring…

This is journey that is both literally and emotionally. Because while Amy and Bex are discovering the world, with a little bit of help with their vision boards, they are also discovering more about themselves. And also Ben and JP are learning more to follow their hearts.

In this book the author takes also her time to make it an inclusive story. As that is something that doesn’t happen that very often, that there is room for everyone and for who they are, was something that I appreciate it. With Bex and her new acquaintances in this book, we see that just like how everyone looks different on the outside, we are all different on the inside. There isn’t just one label that fits all. Yet we also see how not everyone understands this, and how some are holding onto the old labels, old traditions.

There is romance in this book, both for Amy and Bex, but it felt more a way towards their personal goal, and not the goal itself. Because the feelings that are rising, growing, makes all the characters understand themselves much better too. Even if it is with trial and error…

I enjoyed reading this story, as it shows how at loss people can be, how much pressure there is on all of us. But it also shows us that we need time and space to figure out who we are and where we want life to take us. And self – discovery and acceptance of ourselves, is the only way that we can find happiness… 

When things don’t go as expected, the Scottish Highlands may bring the answers

Synopsis

Daisy’s career hasn’t exactly been going to plan and the last thing she wants to do is stay home and wallow in self-pity. So, when an opportunity arises to escape her London home, and make some money working a fancy event at a stately home, she jumps at it.

Determined to make the most out of the situation, she decides a road trip to the Scottish Highlands would be the perfect way to reset and take control of her life.

When devilishly handsome Evan finds himself stranded at the event following a cancelled flight to Scotland, Daisy does the kindest thing she can think of and invites him to join her. As they embark on their journey north, will the scenic trip help them rediscover themselves, and possibly even find something they weren’t expecting…

My review

Daisy believed that her last acting job in a series would finally be seen, until one review not only teared the whole show down, but also her acting skills (even if her appearance was the only not – complete – negative of the whole show). As living in London is not easy, and Daisy doesn’t want to wallow in self – pity the whole time, she decides to accept a job at an exclusive and fancy event. And to make things even better, Daisy decides that after the event, a road trip to the Scottish Highlands would be perfect to just regroup. The last thing that Daisy expects, is that at the fancy event, she needs to control her emotions. Luckily, there is Evan to stop her from doing something irreversible. And when he finds himself stranded at the event due a cancelled flight to Scotland, and he hears that of all people, Daisy is heading his same direction, how can Daisy refuse him to join her? On their trip back home to their loved ones, Daisy and Evan clash on several things, but together they also find a way to rediscover themselves, to see things differently and also once home, Daisy finds herself helping not only Evan but his whole family to save everything. All the while trying to understand what feelings there are developing between them, even if there may be rivals in the field…

Reading a book by this author is always a real journey, in the positive meaning of the word. And in this case, it is even a partial literally journey, as we see how at one point Daisy and Evan are in Daisy’s lovely car on their way to Scotland.

It is generally known that becoming a famous actress is not that easy. And in that aspect, I felt sorry for Daisy, as it has always been her dream, and in a way her legacy, to becoming a performing artist. And then thinking she has finally landed an acting job that will put her in the spotlight, to only be crushed so savagely… poor Daisy!

I could perfectly understand all her doubts, self – doubts but also her anger towards the journalist that wrote that despicable review! As a reviewer myself, I always try to be kind and even if I don’t like the story, I always acknowledge the effort that has been put into work… So I couldn’t comprehend how someone can be so mean, just for being mean…

And while it isn’t her dream job, when she gets the chance to help out as a waitress on a fancy event, and seeing the financial reward, Daisy is ready to do a great job that one evening. However, and in Italian there is a saying, between the saying and the doing, is the sea (you can say something, but acting upon it…)

That evening, that event, Daisy is a bit starstruck seeing all the famous and rich people, but manages to keep it very professional. Until there is one wrong remark from the wrong person. And as I am an Italian, I perfectly understand how you can go from 0 to 100 in just a blink of the eye 😊.

Luckily, she is being rescued from making a scene by Evan. While the scene would be justified, perhaps it would be not the right time and place, and it would obviously only hurt her.

A lot has happened and just now Daisy and Evan meet, that sounds very promising, doesn’t it? 😊

While for sure Daisy ‘owes’ Evan for saving her from making a fool out of herself, I don’t know if I would be as kind as her, agreeing to let Evan tag along on the road trip to Scotland. I think I am too suspicious and read and saw too many horrors 😊

I don’t know how the streets are in Scotland, but I was a bit surprised reading how there is just one road from Evan’s home to Daisy’s home. If one road at home would be blocked, I know at least 3 other ways to get away 😊.

Of course the reason of the block is a serious one, and if indeed there is only one road, I wouldn’t risk it!

And obviously the blocked road is needed for the story, for Daisy and Evan and what is waiting for them.

There is some tension between the pair, switching from actual frustrations to a palpable attraction. One moment they disagree and the next one they cannot ignore the sparks that are flying around between them.

While all this pushing and pulling away is going on, it was also so sweet to read how Evan’s family is welcoming Daisy between their midst. You would think that people living in such a mansion, for many generations, would be looking down a little bit, but the opposite is true.

And with this wonderful, welcoming family, we see also that every family has its struggles. No matter where you live and what your last name is…

It’s also here that we see what a kind character Daisy has, because even if she barely knows the family, she is touched by their warmth, and wants to help them out. And that also brings her and Evan closer, despite the rivalry of Evan’s own brother.

Obviously, there will be a revelation in this book that will jeopardize everything, and while for Daisy it for sure came as a shock, I already had an inkling of what could be happening. Let’s say that my gut feeling didn’t disappoint me. But even if I already knew it somehow, it doesn’t take the pleasure away of reading how Daisy finds out the truth and her reaction to it.

In this wonderful book, we see how one road trip can turn into a real journey. A journey of discovery and self – discovery. A journey where new people will cross your path, and will make you see and understand things. A journey that will take you somewhere unexpected, yet lovely at the same time. This all is enwrapped in a wonderful story filled with laughter, smiles, compassion, beside the hurt and doubts. And it’s the former that matters, because no matter what happens, there is always a ray of light to make things matter, isn’t there?

When producing a reality shows doesn’t go as planned…

Synopsis

It’s survival of the fittest!

From the moment Cleo met Lockie, her infuriatingly charming co-casting producer on hit reality show Welcome to Singledom, he’s been getting under her skin. Their job? Casting singles for the ultimate island romance. Their problem? They can’t agree on anything.

Now, the cameras are ready to roll, and the contestants—well, most of them—are en route. But when the threat of a tropical storm delays half the cast, launch night turns into a total disaster. With no Plan B, Cleo and Lockie are forced to step in as contestants. Just for 24 hours until the real stars arrive.

Simple, right? Except tensions are sky-high and sparks are flying for all the wrong reasons! All they have to do is couple-up and get voted off – but there’s a storm coming, so leaving the island might not be so easy. Cleo’s used to pulling strings behind the scenes, not falling headfirst into the drama.

But when the cameras stop rolling, will their fake fling fade with the credits—or could it be Cleo’s most unexpected plot twist yet?

My review

Cleo has always been looking for the right contestants for a reality show, Welcome to Singledom. However, as ratings are dropping, the producer wants to up the game, and now Cleo has to work together with Lockie. Cleo doesn’t have an issue working with others, but Lockie is a different matter, as they don’t agree on anything. Right when the cameras are ready to roll on the remote island, a tropical storm is jeopardizing the whole shows. Not only not all the contestants have arrived, forcing Cleo and Lockie to step as contestants themselves. Easy, as it is just for a mere 24 hours. Weren’t it that the storm hits the island and now all the contestants, fake and real ones, are truly stranded, without any help as contact has been broken off. So when finding love turns into survival of the fittest, can Cleo and Lockie put their disagreements aside, and when it’s no longer required for them to fake – like each other, what are they truly thinking and feeling about each other?

Watching reality shows, especially those were romance is the topic, is a guilty pleasure of mine. And yes, there are a few shows in the world where you know the drama level will be extremely high. And yes, I LOVE them 😊.

So at the start of the book, I was both happy and a bit disappointed reading that Cleo honestly want the contestants find love, and not create a show where the purpose is to gain fame.

And thus it angered me also how the genuine aspect of the show is being dismissed in order to gain more viewers… And let that be the purpose of Lockie entering the scene, to get the show bigger and bolder.

And also here I found it sad for Cleo, because when she meets Lockie for the first time, on a speed date, she doesn’t know that he is there for the exact same reason as she is: to find the perfect contestants. All the while she felt an attraction to him…

To make things even worse, Cleo and Lockie are not only fighting themselves for the job, but they disagree on just everything. While as a reading their clashing for sure is hilarious, I could completely understand Cleo’s frustrations.

It would be easy to say that Cleo and Lockie are like chalk and cheese, yes they disagree on many aspects, but without them even realizing, they also agree on several things. Especially on things that matter…

The story truly takes off the moment the cameras are ready to roll, and the threat of a tropical storm is looming around the corner. Not only does that mean that not all the contestants have arrived on time, but also that Cleo and Lockie suddenly find themselves pretending to be one.

And it was funny to read how Cleo and Lockie have to pretend to be interested in each other, but also not too much, as they need to be voted off the show as soon as possible.

But if you think that is all there is to this story, you are o so wrong! 😊

Because the threat of a tropical storm isn’t there for then just to disappear, is it? 😊 And that storm hits hard, changing just everything.

Here we see a real change, how the characters all are joining forces (in their own ways), but also how from romance it goes into a real survival. And of course we see how Cleo and Lockie see each other in a different light, and find a trusting level with each other, get closure, in spite of their initial thoughts about each other.

Together with the other contestants, we see how joining forces can make things work, how each has their own strength and how they can contribute to the bigger picture. And it was also lovely to see how each contestant has own struggles and issues, yet how the others are confirming that it is okay to be who you are, and that not all faults are in fact fault.

Both Cleo and Lockie learn that in this book how to let people in, how to trust someone. However, we also see how fragile that trust can be. Because there is a revelation towards the end of the book that shakes up everything that has been building between them. A revelation that perhaps the attentive readers already can discover before Cleo does 😊.

I truly had my fun while reading this story, as there is the obvious enemies – to – lovers trope, but also the surviving – with – what – you – have – at – hands trop. And let’s not forget about how people sometimes pretend to be something/someone else, to make themselves look better, but slowly understanding that being you is more than enough. And then of course also that the most unexpected things and persons can cross your path on the most unexpected way! And that also growth can come when you least expect it!

To go back to your happy place of the past

Synopsis

🥖🥐🥖🥐 Grab your passport for the first in the European Escapes series 🥐🥖🥐🥖

No home. No job. No boyfriend.

When Lia loses her job straight after a break-up, she escapes to the Molins’ family-run boulangerie in Toulouse – the place she was last happy, far away from her cheating ex.

Sworn off men, she isn’t prepared for the spark she feels for charming cheesemaker Jean-Luc, nor for things heating up at the family’s country home in Gascony when handsome, self-assured vineyard-owner Théo asks her out.

Torn between the two and her connections to the Molins family, Lia has some tough decisions to make.

Lia loves being back in France with the people she cares about, helping in the boulangerie. On discovering it is under threat of closure, she is devastated and resolves to do everything in her power to help it stay open.

Will she succeed? And will she be able to choose between the two handsome Frenchmen and live her happily ever after?

For fans of Gillian Harvey, Rebecca Raisin, Jo Thomas and Veronica Henry.

My review

After not losing just her boyfriend, but also her job, Lia needs to find her happiness again. The last place that brought her joy, was years ago, in Toulouse, where she has been living with a wonderful family, the Molins, and their boulangerie. Once arrived in Gascony, it feels truly like home, and it gives Lia the opportunity to think about her future and her dreams. However, Lia also learns that no matter how welcoming and wonderful the Molins are, they are having their own personal struggles too, even jeopardizing the boulangerie with the threat of closure. Lia is more than willing, despite her flawed French, but how can she not help the family that made her one of the family… At the same time, no matter how much Lia has sworn off men, she finds herself both charmed by local cheesemaker Jean – Luc, who is ready to help her out, and by vineyard – owner Théo, who doesn’t hesitate to as her out on several dates. No matter how lovely her time with the Molins is, Lia needs to think about her future and where that will be…

There is something about Susan’s books, that no matter turmoil the main characters are going through, you just feel yourself embraced by warmth, love, and other delightful feelings.

It is a fact that bad things never come alone, as Lia clearly shows us. Not only did her relationship recently end, but just at the moment she wants to take a few days off, she learns that in fact, she can take all the days she wants, as she also loses her job…

Even before losing her job, I could understand why Lia needs to find happiness again, or rather, place that brings her that feeling. The end of a relationship is never a pleasant moment, and you need to find something joyous again. And when Lia’s mind is made up of going to Gascony again, it feels truly like a sign that going there is the right decision, as her job isn’t an issue anymore.

I have never been abroad staying with another family while I was younger, so I don’t know how it feels to feel part of a family that in fact are strangers. And I am sure that there are some horror stories. But it was so nice to read how Lia enjoyed her time in France, and how the Molins are just wonderful people.

Now, I could also understand how with the passing of years, the contact somehow diminished, as life just goes on, and it takes you in different directions.

Yet I was pleasantly surprised how this French family is welcoming Lia back, like she never left. It would have been so easy to dismiss her, to let her mend for herself. But it is so crystal – clear that is just not who the Molins are.

Because they are warm, kind, caring people, with obviously their hearts at the right place. Even if things are a bit difficult at the start of the book (and with a lot still to happen…), they don’t hesitate to welcome Lia back, like their long-lost daughter. There should be more people in the world like the Molins! 😊

In a way, I could see Lia truly come at peace once arriving in Gascony, how easy in a way she finds her happiness again. And it is not only the Molins that make her feel all warm and happy again, but it is the place, the people in general that all make her feel like herself again.

And it is also the perfect place for Lia to think about her own future, as it is all a big question mark upon her arrival.

It was interesting (lacking a better word for it) reading how Lia is working on different levels. Seeing the struggles of the Molins, she wants to pull her weight, not only because of duty, but because of the love she has for this wonderful family.

Life isn’t fair, and that for sure is seen with the Molins, as they get one thing after another to get through. It is always the kindest people that have to face the most difficult struggles…

But it is also through struggles that sometimes things become clear. Because seeing all the struggles the Molins are facing, it becomes clear to Lia where her heart lays and what she wants to do with her future. And with her trail of thoughts, we see how genuine, unselfish, and caring Lia is…

Of course there is also some French romance added in this book, even if in my eyes, this wasn’t the focus of the book, as it is about Lia and finding her happiness and purpose again.

But back to the romance for a moment 😊. Of course the moment that Lia decides to stay away from men, there are suddenly two! 😊

There is extravagant Théo, who immediately uses his charms to get Lia agreeing on a date with him. He truly is a smooth talker, and I could understand how easily Lia is persuaded by him.

And then there is Jean – Luc, the business – neighbour so to say, as he has a fromagerie next to the boulangerie. His kindness and readiness, understanding and even patience, show his kind nature, his nurturing nature.

Obviously between the two men, I had my own personal favourite, and in a way, I was happy to read that my gut feeling about both men proved to be right (and no, I am not going to explain myself further 😊).

On a total different note, I for sure felt hungry while reading this book, as I could practically smell all the aromas of the boulangerie, and I was envious of the characters eating all the French delights that were made there! 😊

Like I said, this book is about Lia’s journey and her quest for peace, happiness, and purpose. And reading all the ups and downs, not only Lia’s but everyone’s, made it easy to relate to the characters, and also like them all!

Susan Buchanan just did it again, making me fall in love with wonderful characters, feel for them, feeling their pains, but also feeling the love, care and kindness in each and every one of them. And of course the marvellous story, about a young woman finding her happy place again, finding what she has been looking for, was just being devoured by me! Because aren’t we all, or haven’t we all been looking for our happy place in life? And with this book we see that that place can be found, that purpose can be found, and it is up to us to take that chance, even if it may sound like a scary thing to do. But when our heart tells us what to so, is it ever a wrong choice?

What an intriguing cover!

Synopsis

The page-turning psychological thriller novella about infatuation, revenge and the lengths we will go to for love.

“She pressed her nose gingerly to the glass, peering unblinking through the viscous liquid at her gift.”

Victorian, rural Sussex. When headstrong daughter of a rector, Constance Timothy, receives a flurry of gifts in pretty little boxes from the charming, smouldering student doctor Smith Williams, her whole family anticipates a future betrothal.

Yet beneath the exquisite pastel lids and satin bows lie macabre secrets that entice Constance into a private world of obsession and darkness, where morality becomes blurred, loyalties are tested and unthinkable acts are possible.

One secret will shake the genteel world she knows to the core…

The first book of The Carousel of Curiosities series, this haunting novella is perfect for readers of Sarah Waters, Laura Purcell, and Angela Carter.

Pre-order Links

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GF1Q46WN

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GF1Q46WN

Publication Date – 27th January 2026

About the author

Lucy Kaufman is an award-winning author, playwright, audio dramatist and poet. 40 of her plays have been performed professionally around the UK and Australia, to critical acclaim. She has lectured in Playwriting and Screenwriting for Pen to Print and Canterbury Christ Church University and is a mentor at The Writing Coach. Originally from London, she now lives by the sea with her husband, sons, dogs and cats.

The cover

It may be cold outside, but when on a cruise that will warm your heart…

Synopsis

Pack your bags for the adventure of a lifetime…

From the #1 bestselling author of The Cruise, embark on an unforgettable journey and sail through Norway’s winter wonderlands to see the spectacular Northern Lights.

________

Will the Arctic wonderland work its magic this winter?

Joy never imagined stepping aboard a cruise ship without her husband, Tom. Now widowed, Joy wonders what her voyage on the Emerald Dream will hold – and as it glides through breathtaking Norwegian fjords, she longs to believe in happiness again. However, she carries a secret that could unravel her fragile hopes if it ever came to light…

Elsewhere on deck, as the sun dips below the horizon and the polar night sets in, Henry, a lifelong bachelor, is living his dream of seeing the Northern Lights. Having long since given up on love, he now dedicates himself to his passion for photography. But when he meets Joy, is it more than the aurora borealis that catches his eye?

As they embark on a snow-dusted adventure which takes them from bustling ports to reindeer-drawn sleigh rides, will Joy and Henry find the courage to embrace love again? Or will hidden truths sink the possibility of a new beginning?

A heartwarming, feel-good voyage of self-discovery, romance and second chances, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Judy Leigh.

My review

Joy never imagined to go on a cruise without her husband Tom. Yet now she is ready to step onto the Emerald Dream on her own, ready to see the beauties that the Nordic countries holds. Yet Joy is worried, being on her own isn’t easy, and she hopes that the loneliness she feels right now, will be there during the whole cruise. However, Joy quickly makes new friends, who welcome her and they all form a close group. One of her new friends is Henry. As a longtime bachelor, he has given up hope on finding love. But not having found love, doesn’t mean him not pursuing his dreams. And thus he is taking the cruise to finally see the Northern Lights. It quickly becomes clear that Joy and Henry share the same opinions and thoughts. And the more the cruise is coming along, the more time they are spending together. However, are the both of them ready to let love in (again)? And what about the secret that Joy is keeping?

I have to admit, while it seems great to be on a cruise, I don’t think I will ever go on one. First of all, remember Titanic? 😊 And second, I need once in a while a moment to escape everything and everyone, and when on a cruise ship, there aren’t many options, are there? 😊

But of course that doesn’t mean that I cannot enjoying reading book that take place on a cruise ship 😊.

At the start of the book, it is clear that Joy is trying to cope on a new life as a widow. Everything in the past has been done with her husband Tom. It for sure seemed like they couldn’t be without each other.

So of course I felt sorry for her, because it can be a scary thing, to start a new adventure on your own. At the same time I admired her too, because there would be no way I would go on a cruise on my own!

We also learn rather quickly that while Joy is forming friendships, that there is something that she is hiding. She has a secret, keeping it all to herself. And it takes a while before the real secret comes out, but there are also a few moments where we get glimpses of what may have been transpired.

And here we see that we don’t know what is taking place in someone’s life, we see only what they allow us to see…

Even before I knew what Joy had been through, I was happy to read how she finds her tribe in a way. A tribe, a bunch of new friends, who are more than willing to get to know her, and even remain friends after the cruise is over.

I have to say, while the blurb focusses on Joy and Henry (more about him later on), we get to know each of the table sitters a little better. And the most were marvellous characters, there is one couple I think I would get into a real fight with! And yes, you will know who I am talking about when you are reading the book yourself😊.

We see how each relationship is different, how each couple has its own struggles, whether those issues truly matter is another question. And we see different characters, how one can be open and warm, while someone else is jealous and thinks to be better than others…

Luckily, Henry is one of the good guys in this book.

Perhaps Henry is also a bit naïve in a way, because he doesn’t see and understand how his kindness can be misinterpreted. And with him not clearly explaining clearly the kind of relationship he has with his neighbour, it also causes some misunderstandings that could have been easily avoided.

In a way, I felt sorry for Henry, because he is one amazing man, yet he didn’t manage to find love in his life. And I felt connected with him for that reason, because no matter how amazing I am (😊) love is still not around…

So obviously I was happy for Joy and Henry finding each other on the cruise ship, and having this connection. I was also happy about the pace of how things are evolving. While there is a liking, they aren’t joined by the hips, and still enjoy doing things on their own. Yet when there are moments them doing the same activities, by sheer coincidence, the sparkle in their eyes truly warmed my heart!

What I enjoyed about this book, is how (important) friendships can be created on even a limited place like a cruise ship. When you meet someone, place or time doesn’t matter, because what is being built is something important and lasting.

And it doesn’t matter what age you are, or what you have already been through in your life. The right people will support you, help you and like/love you just for you being you. And isn’t that what truly matters? And it doesn’t always have to be an important romance relationship, because the friend – kind of relationship is just as important!

When attraction is building but not with the man you are going to wed…

Synopsis

A spicy, forbidden love Viking romance

Their forbidden tryst…

Is treason!

Helena’s spent her life preparing to be the Byzantine Prince’s bride. But when his cruel disinterest turns her position perilous, she finds salvation in fierce warrior Viggo. As the Prince’s personal guard, he knows her betrothed like no other. Could Viggo help her win his affections?

Only, Helena swiftly discovers the man she craves is not her husband-to-be…but thrillingly rugged Viggo! To act on their desires would be committing treason. Getting caught could be fatal. And yet, resisting their illicit connection feels like a fate worse than death…

My review

Helena grew up not only knowing being a disappointment to her father, but also just having one goal in life: becoming the Byzantine Prince’s bride when the time arrives. Everything she knows and loves has always been in function of what the Prince knows and loves. So when she finally is the woman the Prince wants to wed, Helena believes that her life is going to change for the better. Can’t be any worse, right? Well, that is until Helena realizes that the Prince is not interested in her at all, and makes sure that everyone knows his disinterest. Her only hope is now that the Prince’s personal guard, Viking Viggo, will help her in winning the Prince’s affection. However, the more time Helena and Viggo are spending together, the more Helena realizes that everything she starts to feel, from attraction to ravings, aren’t directed towards her fiancé, but towards that scarred Viking. And Viggo sees that Helena is nothing like all other women, that she truly has a kind and generous heart. But acting upon his feelings, means betrayal on the highest possible level. So with the impossibility of acting upon their feelings, where will that leave them?

I was a bit afraid of reading this story. Not because I doubt the talent that Sarah Rodi has, but because while I love reading Viking romances and Regency romances, I did not know how to feel about this story taking place in Byzantine.

Because even if it stated that this is a Viking romance, it is obvious that this is a different kind of story, even if Viggo is a Viking himself, it doesn’t follow the ‘rules’ of a Viking Romance. But in the end, does it matter if it is a Viking romance, a Regency romance or a Byzantine romance? What matters is that the story captures your attention, that you love the main characters and that in the end you are left with a happy feeling.

Right from the start, it is clear that Helena has a mission in this book, to conquer the heart of the Prince. And while I can admire that kind of determination, it is also obvious that in fact, it isn’t a mission of her own choosing, but one that has been dictated by her own parents.

Everything Helena has done in the past, has been taught in the past, has been to turn her into the perfect bride for the Prince. And it saddened me make that realization, because it isn’t out of love that Helena’s parents want this union, but for their own (financial) benefit… And that lack of love from them is palpable from the pages…

It was also sad to see that once Helena has indeed become the bride – to – be, things aren’t turning out to be as she expected. Of course Helena knows that it isn’t an union out of love, but she for sure hopes that at least the Prince shows some interest in her. Which he of course doesn’t…

And that made me even more sad than I already was. Because all that Helena wanted, was first of all, get away from her unloving parents, and find someone that gives her what she has been longing for a lifetime.

In a way, in the palace, Helena is feeling lonelier than ever, as her own freedom is even more limited now. So even if things didn’t start that smoothly between her and Viggo, I was happy that at least someone cared about her.

It would be easy to dislike Viggo at the start of the book, as he is working as a guard for the Prince pure to gain coin to start a new life elsewhere.

But it is easy to judge someone just on appearances, and without knowing their backgrounds. It became rather obvious the more I saw of Viggo that in fact he is just a big friendly giant, with his heat at the right place.

He and his sister didn’t have an easy time growing up, but now he is doing everything he can to provide for her and protect her from the evils of the world. He has already gone lengths to protect his sister, but would move heaven and earth for her even now.

And then there is the way he acts around Helena. Even if she is a complete stranger, and he clearly misjudged her character, there are several moments where he not only warns her but also protects her.

So ever slowly, Viggo starts to understand that Helena is in a way so very innocent, gullible. She never had the choice to make her own choices, discover what she likes and loves. And challenges her to think for herself.

And Helena starts to see that this big Viking has a soft heart, wanting nothing more than protect his loved ones.

While I was reading, and seeing how closer the pair of them were getting, I kept wondering how things could possible work out for them, because going against the Prince is just impossible. Even if it is going against a prince I truly disliked from the very moment.

But like I said earlier, it is easy to judge and dislike someone without knowing the whole story. And while throughout the whole story, my dislike for the Prince perhaps even kept growing, towards the end, the pieces of the puzzle all fell together, making me understand his actions and making me even feel sorry for him… And it confirmed the fact that with great power comes great responsibilities, but it also add limits to what you can do and feel…

What amazed me in this story, is the journey that both Helena and Viggo are going through. Helena learns who she truly is, what she likes, dislikes. But she also learns that she is a helper. When there are people in need, in any situation, Helena wants to help out those in need. Even if it is at risk of her own safety, she doesn’t care.

And then there is Viggo. This big, gentle yet fierce protecter. He takes his job very serious, but he also prioritizes the right things. He won’t let anyone hurt his loved ones. But he is also a very patient man, and somehow a teacher, as he is the one that opens Helena eyes for real.

Like I said, initially I was a bit afraid of disliking this Byzantine story, yet I found myself so quickly drawn into it, wanting, no, needing to know how Helena and Viggo’s story would evolve.